Prismatic joint and optical swiveling device

Abstract

A prismatic joint for an optical swiveling device has a first prism rotatably mounted about a first rotation axis and a second prism, rotatably mounted about a second rotation axis with respect to the first prism. The first rotation axis and the second rotation axis intersect one another at an intersection angle of 45°. The first prism and the second prism have a respective first side surface and a second side surface, as well as a base surface. The first side surface is inclined through the intersection angle with respect to the base surface, and the second side surface is inclined through half the intersection angle with respect to the base surface. The first and second prisms project substantially mirror-image symmetrically along the first rotation axis, and a third prism is disposed with its side surfaces adjoining, the first and the second prisms.

1. A prismatic joint for an optical swiveling device, comprising:
 a first prism rotatably mounted about a first rotation axis; 
 a second prism rotatably mounted about a second rotation axis relative to said first prism; 
 said first rotation axis and said second rotation axis intersecting at an intersection angle of 45°; 
 said first prism and said second prism each having a first side surface, a second side surface, and a base surface; 
 said first side surface of each of said first and second prisms being inclined with respect to said base surface by said intersection angle, and said second side surface of each of said first and second prisms being inclined through half the intersection angle with respect to said base surface; 
 a third prism having a base surface and side surfaces inclined symmetrically at said intersection angle with respect to said base surface; and 
 said first and second prisms projecting substantially mirror-image symmetrically along said first rotation axis, and said third prism being arranged between said first and second prisms, in each case with said side surfaces adjoining said first and second prisms, respectively. 
 
   
   
     2. The prismatic joint according to  claim 1 , wherein said third prism is functionally associated with said first prism or with said second prism. 
   
   
     3. The prismatic joint according to  claim 2 , wherein said third prism is formed integrally in one piece with said first prism or with said second prism. 
   
   
     4. The prismatic joint according to  claim 1 , wherein said third prism is rotatably mounted with respect to said first prism and said second prism is rotatably mounted with respect to said third prism, resulting in a third rotation axis intersecting said second rotation axis at an angle of 45°. 
   
   
     5. The prismatic joint according to  claim 1 , wherein said first prism and said second prism are mutually identical. 
   
   
     6. The prismatic joint according to  claim 1 , wherein said first prism and said second prism are aligned with said base surfaces facing one another. 
   
   
     7. The prismatic joint according to  claim 1 , wherein said first prism and said second prism are aligned with said side surfaces facing one another. 
   
   
     8. The prismatic joint according to  claim 1 , wherein said third prism has a cross section forming an isosceles triangle. 
   
   
     9. An optical swiveling device for imaging or projecting an object scene, comprising:
 a supporting structure; 
 a detection or transmission unit disposed in said supporting structure; 
 a first frame rotatably mounted with respect to said supporting structure about a first rotation axis; 
 a second frame rotatably mounted about a second rotation axis with respect to said first frame; 
 said first rotation axis and said second rotation axis intersecting at an intersection angle of 45; and 
 a prismatic joint according to  claim 1  disposed for optical connection between said first frame and said second frame. 
 
   
   
     10. The swiveling device according to  claim 9 , wherein said first frame is associated with said first prism and said second frame is associated with said third prism, and wherein a third frame is rotatably mounted about a third rotation axis with respect to said second frame, and wherein said second prism is associated with said third frame.